Facilities

JCU provides a full range of support services and facilities for students to help them make the most of their time at the university.

James Cook International

The James Cook International office assists every international student at JCU to ensure their stay in Australia and at the University is a pleasant and productive one. The office should be your first point of contact if you need assistance. It provides a range of support services and information for students including:

• preparing for arrival information
• free arrival service
• orientation program
• social activities
• accommodation information
• assistance in emergencies
• personal well-being and welfare support
• Overseas Student Health Cover information
• Happy Landing, student resource CD-ROM (Townsville and Cairns campus)
• student advice, advocacy and referral
• course admission procedures
• returning home program

Learning Skills

Learning advisers provide academic support for all JCU students. Workshops, online tutorials and individual sessions are available to help with: assignment writing, lecture note-taking, organisational skills, exam preparation, research skills and support for students from non-English speaking backgrounds.

Multi-faith centre

The multi-faith centre caters for students from a diverse range of religious backgrounds and is available at the Cairns and Townsville campuses. It provides pastoral care, spiritual and religious support for  students. The International office can also provide advice to students on local places of worship.

Counselling 

A confidential, free counselling service is provided for students at the Townsville and Cairns campuses by qualified psychologists for a wide range of academic and personal needs.

JCU Student Association

The JCU Student Association is directed by elected students and, for a membership fee, provides services and amenities to students. These include: student representation to the University, student welfare issues, entertainment, sports facilities and food outlets on the Cairns and Townsville campuses.

Careers and Employment Service

The JCU Careers and Employment Service provides information, advice and guidance on careers, employment and further study, to current JCU students and graduates. Free services include:

• online job finder, including part-time and vacation jobs
• career advice
• access to computer-based career guidance programs to help with career choices

Retail services

The Townsville campus has a selection of cafés and student eateries. The Cairns campus has a Refectory (student eatery) and café at the library. JCU Bookshops on the Townsville and Cairns campuses offer student discounts on books and stationery. The Townsville and Cairns campuses have ATMs and agencies for the Uni Credit Union. In Townsville there is a post office and a hairdresser. For Cairns students, a post office, branches of all the major banks plus a range of other shopping facilities are located at the Smithfield Centre, about one kilometre (half a mile) from the campus.

Students with disabilities

Specialist services are available to students with permanent or temporary disabilities who may require additional information, support or resources. These include a range of technologies, to assist students to access teaching and assessment alternatives, and special arrangements for note taking and examinations. Students needing these services should contact Accessibility Services as soon as they accept their offer to discuss their special needs.

Leading technology

Students at JCU will enjoy access to the latest technology and a wealth of electronic resources. They will have their own e-mail account and be able to access the JCU network to search and borrow books from the JCU Library catalogue, submit assignments, contact lecturers, take part in online class discussions and more. LearnJCU is a web resource for all JCU subjects, providing study resources, reading lists, notice boards, students' web pages and discussion forums. eStudent presents enrolment details, lecture timetables, on-campus activities and more.

PC and Macintosh laboratories are available on all campuses. Selected computer laboratories are open 24 hours, seven days a week, offering printing facilities on a user-pays basis. Wireless zones let you access the web from your laptop computer at selected sites on campus.

Library 

The JCU Library is one of the best in regional Australia, with the campuses of Townsville and Cairns owning a combined collection of almost half a million volumes. Books can be ordered online and delivered between campuses. Over 24,000 unique electronic journals are accessible as part of a rapidly expanding collection of electronic resources. Librarians provide in-depth assistance to students.

Accommodation Service

The JCU Accommodation Service operates out of the Townsville campus and provides student information about on-campus or off-campus accommodation in Townsville or Cairns. JCU’s Brisbane and Singapore campuses offer assistance with accommodation for students.

Bookshop

JCU has bookshops on Townsville and Cairns campuses. The shops sell textbooks, stationery and computer software & peripherals. Student discounts are offered and the shops ensure that most textbooks are stocked in time for the study year.